Simplex Trader Interview Questions
& Process

I had a webcam interview that included standard 'tell me about yourself' questions, and then some brain teasers. It was a bit unexpected when they asked a really out-there question midway through, which made me question if this is the right place for a trader, rather than focusing on things like my trade log, success record, or if my trading methods could be turned into a profitable algorithm. Maybe it was just a test of my patience, and I didn't pass.

The entire interview process spanned about three days. It started with a quick phone interview. Following that, I was emailed a Wonderlic test. Once I sent that back, I was invited to a "junior trader day," which was an all-day event. This day involved another, longer Wonderlic test, plus a multi-page assessment covering math and logical reasoning. While the Wonderlic was manageable, the other test had questions on stats and probabilities similar to those found in "Heard on the Street," derivative calculations, fundamental options theory, and word problems. I felt I did okay, but when competing against candidates with math PhDs from top universities for a junior trader role, your chances are slim. Out of 150 applicants, only 9 of us reached the final stage.

The interview process began with an online Wunderlich test, followed by a webcam interview. About a week later, I was invited to an in-person interview along with approximately 20 other candidates. This involved taking a full Wunderlich test and then a more extensive test covering math, problem-solving, and basic options knowledge. Following the tests, half of the candidates were sent home, while the remaining participants engaged in a group scenario exercise, and concluded with one-on-one interviews. The entire event lasted about 4 hours. My experience was very positive, despite not receiving an offer. The office was impressive, and the staff seemed intelligent and sincere. My advice for those who reach the interview stage is to always consider what the interviewers are looking for in a candidate. While some questions seemed to invite a standard response, I chose to answer truthfully, which might have impacted the outcome.